commonly used or practiced; usual
From this reading The unkempt fields, the orchards and meadows, and the softened and caressing sunlight were as balm to his eyes, accustomed to the pale, grim southern plain and its fierce white sunshine.
adobenounUS /əˈdoʊbi/
the clay from which adobe bricks are made
From this reading As the train rushed northward along the banks of the muddy stream, he looked at the little adobe houses, wondering how long these peaceful Mexican homes could withstand the pressure of the dominant American.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading As the train rushed northward along the banks of the muddy stream, he looked at the little adobe houses, wondering how long these peaceful Mexican homes could withstand the pressure of the dominant American.
a native or inhabitant of the United States
From this reading As the train rushed northward along the banks of the muddy stream, he looked at the little adobe houses, wondering how long these peaceful Mexican homes could withstand the pressure of the dominant American.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The unkempt fields, the orchards and meadows, and the softened and caressing sunlight were as balm to his eyes, accustomed to the pale, grim southern plain and its fierce white sunshine.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The unkempt fields, the orchards and meadows, and the softened and caressing sunlight were as balm to his eyes, accustomed to the pale, grim southern plain and its fierce white sunshine.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading With eager pleasure Conrad gazed from his car window the next morning at the narrow bright ribbon of verdure with which the Rio Grande pranks itself on its southward course through New Mexico.
(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception
From this reading He became aware that the men behind him were discussing the same question.
balmnounUS /bɑːm/
any of various aromatic resinous substances used for healing and soothing
From this reading The unkempt fields, the orchards and meadows, and the softened and caressing sunlight were as balm to his eyes, accustomed to the pale, grim southern plain and its fierce white sunshine.
English botanist who accompanied Captain Cook on his first voyage to the Pacific Ocean (1743-1820)
From this reading As the train rushed northward along the banks of the muddy stream, he looked at the little adobe houses, wondering how long these peaceful Mexican homes could withstand the pressure of the dominant American.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading He became aware that the men behind him were discussing the same question.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading He became aware that the men behind him were discussing the same question.
BLUNDERverbUS /ˈblʌndər/
commit a faux pas or a fault or make a serious mistake
From this reading MISTAKE, OR BLUNDER?
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading With eager pleasure Conrad gazed from his car window the next morning at the narrow bright ribbon of verdure with which the Rio Grande pranks itself on its southward course through New Mexico.
a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine
From this reading With eager pleasure Conrad gazed from his car window the next morning at the narrow bright ribbon of verdure with which the Rio Grande pranks itself on its southward course through New Mexico.
caressingnounUS /kərˈesɪŋ/
affectionate play (or foreplay without contact with the genital organs)
From this reading The unkempt fields, the orchards and meadows, and the softened and caressing sunlight were as balm to his eyes, accustomed to the pale, grim southern plain and its fierce white sunshine.
ConradnounUS /ˈkɑːnræd/
English novelist (born in Poland) noted for sea stories and for his narrative technique (1857-1924)
From this reading With eager pleasure Conrad gazed from his car window the next morning at the narrow bright ribbon of verdure with which the Rio Grande pranks itself on its southward course through New Mexico.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading As the train rushed northward along the banks of the muddy stream, he looked at the little adobe houses, wondering how long these peaceful Mexican homes could withstand the pressure of the dominant American.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading With eager pleasure Conrad gazed from his car window the next morning at the narrow bright ribbon of verdure with which the Rio Grande pranks itself on its southward course through New Mexico.
discussingverbUS /dɪˈskʌsɪŋ/
-ing form of “discuss” — to consider or examine in speech or writing
From this reading He became aware that the men behind him were discussing the same question.
dominantadjectiveUS /ˈdɑːmənənt/
exercising influence or control
From this reading As the train rushed northward along the banks of the muddy stream, he looked at the little adobe houses, wondering how long these peaceful Mexican homes could withstand the pressure of the dominant American.
eageradjectiveUS /ˈiːɡər/
having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy
From this reading With eager pleasure Conrad gazed from his car window the next morning at the narrow bright ribbon of verdure with which the Rio Grande pranks itself on its southward course through New Mexico.
opinion or judgment
From this reading The unkempt fields, the orchards and meadows, and the softened and caressing sunlight were as balm to his eyes, accustomed to the pale, grim southern plain and its fierce white sunshine.
United States comedian and film actor (1880-1946)
From this reading The unkempt fields, the orchards and meadows, and the softened and caressing sunlight were as balm to his eyes, accustomed to the pale, grim southern plain and its fierce white sunshine.
marked by extreme and violent energy
From this reading The unkempt fields, the orchards and meadows, and the softened and caressing sunlight were as balm to his eyes, accustomed to the pale, grim southern plain and its fierce white sunshine.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading With eager pleasure Conrad gazed from his car window the next morning at the narrow bright ribbon of verdure with which the Rio Grande pranks itself on its southward course through New Mexico.
past form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading With eager pleasure Conrad gazed from his car window the next morning at the narrow bright ribbon of verdure with which the Rio Grande pranks itself on its southward course through New Mexico.
Grande
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With eager pleasure Conrad gazed from his car window the next morning at the narrow bright ribbon of verdure with which the Rio Grande pranks itself on its southward course through New Mexico.
not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty
From this reading The unkempt fields, the orchards and meadows, and the softened and caressing sunlight were as balm to his eyes, accustomed to the pale, grim southern plain and its fierce white sunshine.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As the train rushed northward along the banks of the muddy stream, he looked at the little adobe houses, wondering how long these peaceful Mexican homes could withstand the pressure of the dominant American.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He became aware that the men behind him were discussing the same question.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading With eager pleasure Conrad gazed from his car window the next morning at the narrow bright ribbon of verdure with which the Rio Grande pranks itself on its southward course through New Mexico.
homesnounUS /hoʊmz/
plural of “home” — where you live at a particular time
From this reading As the train rushed northward along the banks of the muddy stream, he looked at the little adobe houses, wondering how long these peaceful Mexican homes could withstand the pressure of the dominant American.
plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading As the train rushed northward along the banks of the muddy stream, he looked at the little adobe houses, wondering how long these peaceful Mexican homes could withstand the pressure of the dominant American.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the train rushed northward along the banks of the muddy stream, he looked at the little adobe houses, wondering how long these peaceful Mexican homes could withstand the pressure of the dominant American.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading With eager pleasure Conrad gazed from his car window the next morning at the narrow bright ribbon of verdure with which the Rio Grande pranks itself on its southward course through New Mexico.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading With eager pleasure Conrad gazed from his car window the next morning at the narrow bright ribbon of verdure with which the Rio Grande pranks itself on its southward course through New Mexico.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading As the train rushed northward along the banks of the muddy stream, he looked at the little adobe houses, wondering how long these peaceful Mexican homes could withstand the pressure of the dominant American.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading As the train rushed northward along the banks of the muddy stream, he looked at the little adobe houses, wondering how long these peaceful Mexican homes could withstand the pressure of the dominant American.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading As the train rushed northward along the banks of the muddy stream, he looked at the little adobe houses, wondering how long these peaceful Mexican homes could withstand the pressure of the dominant American.
meadowsnounUS /ˈmedoʊz/
plural of “meadow” — a field where grass or alfalfa are grown to be made into hay
From this reading The unkempt fields, the orchards and meadows, and the softened and caressing sunlight were as balm to his eyes, accustomed to the pale, grim southern plain and its fierce white sunshine.
the force of workers available
From this reading He became aware that the men behind him were discussing the same question.
MexicannounUS /ˈmeksəkən/
a native or inhabitant of Mexico
From this reading As the train rushed northward along the banks of the muddy stream, he looked at the little adobe houses, wondering how long these peaceful Mexican homes could withstand the pressure of the dominant American.
MexiconounUS /ˈmeksəkoʊ/
a republic in southern North America; became independent from Spain in 1810
From this reading With eager pleasure Conrad gazed from his car window the next morning at the narrow bright ribbon of verdure with which the Rio Grande pranks itself on its southward course through New Mexico.
a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
From this reading MISTAKE, OR BLUNDER?
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading With eager pleasure Conrad gazed from his car window the next morning at the narrow bright ribbon of verdure with which the Rio Grande pranks itself on its southward course through New Mexico.
muddyadjectiveUS /ˈmʌdi/
(of soil) soft and watery
From this reading As the train rushed northward along the banks of the muddy stream, he looked at the little adobe houses, wondering how long these peaceful Mexican homes could withstand the pressure of the dominant American.
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading With eager pleasure Conrad gazed from his car window the next morning at the narrow bright ribbon of verdure with which the Rio Grande pranks itself on its southward course through New Mexico.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading With eager pleasure Conrad gazed from his car window the next morning at the narrow bright ribbon of verdure with which the Rio Grande pranks itself on its southward course through New Mexico.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading With eager pleasure Conrad gazed from his car window the next morning at the narrow bright ribbon of verdure with which the Rio Grande pranks itself on its southward course through New Mexico.
northwardadverbUS /ˈnɔːrθwərd/
in a northern direction
From this reading As the train rushed northward along the banks of the muddy stream, he looked at the little adobe houses, wondering how long these peaceful Mexican homes could withstand the pressure of the dominant American.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading With eager pleasure Conrad gazed from his car window the next morning at the narrow bright ribbon of verdure with which the Rio Grande pranks itself on its southward course through New Mexico.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading With eager pleasure Conrad gazed from his car window the next morning at the narrow bright ribbon of verdure with which the Rio Grande pranks itself on its southward course through New Mexico.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading MISTAKE, OR BLUNDER?
orchardsnounUS /ˈɔːrtʃərdz/
plural of “orchard” — garden consisting of a small cultivated wood without undergrowth
From this reading The unkempt fields, the orchards and meadows, and the softened and caressing sunlight were as balm to his eyes, accustomed to the pale, grim southern plain and its fierce white sunshine.
very light colored; highly diluted with white
From this reading The unkempt fields, the orchards and meadows, and the softened and caressing sunlight were as balm to his eyes, accustomed to the pale, grim southern plain and its fierce white sunshine.
peacefuladjectiveUS /ˈpiːsfəl/
not disturbed by strife or turmoil or war
From this reading As the train rushed northward along the banks of the muddy stream, he looked at the little adobe houses, wondering how long these peaceful Mexican homes could withstand the pressure of the dominant American.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading The unkempt fields, the orchards and meadows, and the softened and caressing sunlight were as balm to his eyes, accustomed to the pale, grim southern plain and its fierce white sunshine.
a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading With eager pleasure Conrad gazed from his car window the next morning at the narrow bright ribbon of verdure with which the Rio Grande pranks itself on its southward course through New Mexico.
pranksnounUS /præŋks/
plural of “prank” — acting like a clown or buffoon
From this reading With eager pleasure Conrad gazed from his car window the next morning at the narrow bright ribbon of verdure with which the Rio Grande pranks itself on its southward course through New Mexico.
pressurenounUS /ˈpreʃər/
the force applied to a unit area of surface; measured in pascals (SI unit) or in dynes (cgs unit)
From this reading As the train rushed northward along the banks of the muddy stream, he looked at the little adobe houses, wondering how long these peaceful Mexican homes could withstand the pressure of the dominant American.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading He became aware that the men behind him were discussing the same question.
ribbonnounUS /ˈrɪbən/
any long object resembling a thin line
From this reading With eager pleasure Conrad gazed from his car window the next morning at the narrow bright ribbon of verdure with which the Rio Grande pranks itself on its southward course through New Mexico.
RionounUS /ˈriːoʊ/
the former capital and 2nd largest city of Brazil; chief Brazilian port; famous as a tourist attraction
From this reading With eager pleasure Conrad gazed from his car window the next morning at the narrow bright ribbon of verdure with which the Rio Grande pranks itself on its southward course through New Mexico.
done under pressure
From this reading As the train rushed northward along the banks of the muddy stream, he looked at the little adobe houses, wondering how long these peaceful Mexican homes could withstand the pressure of the dominant American.
Identical; not different.
From this reading He became aware that the men behind him were discussing the same question.
softenedadjectiveUS /ˈsɔːfənd/
toned down
From this reading The unkempt fields, the orchards and meadows, and the softened and caressing sunlight were as balm to his eyes, accustomed to the pale, grim southern plain and its fierce white sunshine.
in or characteristic of a region of the United States south of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading The unkempt fields, the orchards and meadows, and the softened and caressing sunlight were as balm to his eyes, accustomed to the pale, grim southern plain and its fierce white sunshine.
southwardadverbUS /ˈsaʊθwərd/
toward the south
From this reading With eager pleasure Conrad gazed from his car window the next morning at the narrow bright ribbon of verdure with which the Rio Grande pranks itself on its southward course through New Mexico.
a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth
From this reading As the train rushed northward along the banks of the muddy stream, he looked at the little adobe houses, wondering how long these peaceful Mexican homes could withstand the pressure of the dominant American.
sunlightnounUS /ˈsʌnlaɪt/
the rays of the sun
From this reading The unkempt fields, the orchards and meadows, and the softened and caressing sunlight were as balm to his eyes, accustomed to the pale, grim southern plain and its fierce white sunshine.
the rays of the sun
From this reading The unkempt fields, the orchards and meadows, and the softened and caressing sunlight were as balm to his eyes, accustomed to the pale, grim southern plain and its fierce white sunshine.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He became aware that the men behind him were discussing the same question.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading With eager pleasure Conrad gazed from his car window the next morning at the narrow bright ribbon of verdure with which the Rio Grande pranks itself on its southward course through New Mexico.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading As the train rushed northward along the banks of the muddy stream, he looked at the little adobe houses, wondering how long these peaceful Mexican homes could withstand the pressure of the dominant American.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading With eager pleasure Conrad gazed from his car window the next morning at the narrow bright ribbon of verdure with which the Rio Grande pranks itself on its southward course through New Mexico.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The unkempt fields, the orchards and meadows, and the softened and caressing sunlight were as balm to his eyes, accustomed to the pale, grim southern plain and its fierce white sunshine.
create by training and teaching
From this reading As the train rushed northward along the banks of the muddy stream, he looked at the little adobe houses, wondering how long these peaceful Mexican homes could withstand the pressure of the dominant American.
unkemptadjectiveUS /ənˈkempt/
not neatly combed
From this reading The unkempt fields, the orchards and meadows, and the softened and caressing sunlight were as balm to his eyes, accustomed to the pale, grim southern plain and its fierce white sunshine.
verdurenoun
green foliage
From this reading With eager pleasure Conrad gazed from his car window the next morning at the narrow bright ribbon of verdure with which the Rio Grande pranks itself on its southward course through New Mexico.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The unkempt fields, the orchards and meadows, and the softened and caressing sunlight were as balm to his eyes, accustomed to the pale, grim southern plain and its fierce white sunshine.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading With eager pleasure Conrad gazed from his car window the next morning at the narrow bright ribbon of verdure with which the Rio Grande pranks itself on its southward course through New Mexico.
a Caucasian
From this reading The unkempt fields, the orchards and meadows, and the softened and caressing sunlight were as balm to his eyes, accustomed to the pale, grim southern plain and its fierce white sunshine.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading With eager pleasure Conrad gazed from his car window the next morning at the narrow bright ribbon of verdure with which the Rio Grande pranks itself on its southward course through New Mexico.
in the company of; together with
From this reading With eager pleasure Conrad gazed from his car window the next morning at the narrow bright ribbon of verdure with which the Rio Grande pranks itself on its southward course through New Mexico.
withstandverbUS /wɪθˈstænd/
resist or confront with resistance
From this reading As the train rushed northward along the banks of the muddy stream, he looked at the little adobe houses, wondering how long these peaceful Mexican homes could withstand the pressure of the dominant American.
showing curiosity
From this reading As the train rushed northward along the banks of the muddy stream, he looked at the little adobe houses, wondering how long these peaceful Mexican homes could withstand the pressure of the dominant American.
